Why Private School

Do you prefer to peruse a book rather than going online to find private schools? If so, there are some excellent guides to private schools available. While most of the information contained in these guides can be found online, the truth is that most of us do not have the time nor the expertise to do all that research involved. If you are beginning a serious search for private schools for your children, then buy one of these guidebooks. Use it as a reference tool.

Besides the cost factor, the only real disadvantage to this method of researching schools is that the information is frequently out of date.

Applying to Private Schools in NYC

• The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools, 6th Ed.
• The Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools and Selective Public Schools, 5th Ed.
• Private Independent Schools 2007
• The Kindergarten Wars
• The Parent's Guide to Private Schools in Hawaii: Oahu
• The Whitney Guide To Los Angeles Private Schools
• Private K-8 Schools of San Francisco & Marin
• Private High Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area
• Georgia Irvin's Guide to Schools, 2nd Edition: Metropolitan Washington

Some states do not have their own private school associations. Schools band together across state lines forming regional associations. These associations have the same purpose as state and national associations which is promote private schools and to share latest and best practices. Also included are several associations in major metropolitan areas.

Associations

• Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington
• Association of Independent Schools of New England
• Cleveland Council of Independent Schools
• Fairchester Independent Schools
• Independent Schools Association of the Central States
• Independent Schools Association of Northern New England
• Independent Schools Association of the Southwest
• Long Island Association of Private Schools and Day Camps
• Los Angeles Area Schools
• New York Interschool
• Pacific Northwestern Association of Independent Schools
• Southern Association of Independent Schools
• Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools
• Western Boarding School Association

Most private schools belong to state associations. Besides the 'strength in numbers' which benefits them in state and local issues, schools learn from each other through seminars, workshops and conferences. State associations often provide listings of open houses and employment opportunities. Find out whether the schools in which you are interested belong.

Associations of Independent Schools

• Advancement for Delaware Valley Independent Schools
• Alabama Independent School Association
• Association of Colorado Independent Schools
• Association of Independent Maryland Schools
• Association of Independent Michigan Schools
• Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington
• California Association of Independent Schools
• Connecticut Association of Independent Schools
• Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
• Florida Council of Independent Schools
• Georgia Independent School Association
• Hawaii Association of Independent Schools
• The Minnesota Independent School Forum
• New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
• New York State Association of Independent Schools
• North Carolina Association of Independent Schools
• North Carolina Christian Schools Association
• Ohio Association of Independent Schools
• Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools
• South Carolina Independent Schools Association
• Tennessee Association of Independent Schools
• Virginia Association of Independent Schools
• Washington Federation of Independent Schools

Most private schools will claim to be a member of several national associations. These links will help you do your own due diligence to confirm that claim. They are also very useful for finding a specific kind of school in your area. Schools which are members of national associations inspire confidence because they are privy to the latest and best in private education.

This short video featuring a prominent private school head of school illustrates the purpose of private school education.

Associations of Private Schools

• American Association of Christian Schools
• American Montessori Society
• The Association of Boarding Schools
• Association of Christian Schools International
• Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the U.S.
• Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
• Catholic Boarding Schools Association
• Council for American Private Education
• Department of Defense Schools
• The Friends Council on Education
• Islamic Schools League of America
• Jesuit Secondary Education Association
• National Association of Episcopal Schools
• National Association of Independent Schools
• National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools
• National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children
• National Association of Street Schools
• National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
• National Catholic Educational Association
• National Coalition of Girls Schools
• National Independent Private Schools

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Private K-12 schools are non-public schools. In other words, they are not part of the public K-12 education system. While private schools are regulated in the same way most businesses are with respect to safety, zoning, and registration, they are not required to do many of the things public schools must do, such as state testing and accepting any student who applies. Regulations vary significantly by state, however, and some states impose additional requirements on private schools. Private School Review's State Regulation of Private Schools provides a current 2026 overview of those differences.

History of K-12 Education in the United States

First, let's take a quick look at the history of K-12 education in the United States of America. What were the first colonists up against as far as education was concerned? The challenges were enormous simply because there was nothing here. Native Americans did not have school buildings. They educated their offspring in their natural surroundings. The colonists, on the other hand, had left a country with an organized educational system. For example, King's School, Canterbury, opened its doors in 597. In the Middle Ages, the kings and queens of England established schools and universities to educate young men. In most cases, these educational establishments were founded to educate and train clergy, judges, and other public officials. Edward VI set up free grammar schools which were open to all, regardless of religious beliefs